It’s true: licorice–manufactured as an herbal supplement and as a popular candy in the UK and Australia, may actually help dogs afflicted with Addison’s disease. A team of New Zealand researchers studied licorice supplements in one Addisonian dog and found that the supplement normalized the dog’s persistent hyperkalemia (high potassium, which is usual with Addison’s disease). Licorice root contains a variety of chemicals which aid in normalizing mineralocorticoid activity in the body, enabling a reduction in medications.
This article on Herbal Remedies for Canine Addison’s Disease discusses the benefits–and cautions of giving licorice root and other herbal remedies to Addisonian dogs.
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